Durham degree offers first class value

Rentify reveals which of the UK’s top 10 universities gives you the best value for your money

Durham University, seen as the fifth best university in the country, has most affordable rent in the top 10 at just £250 pcm

The most expensive is fourth ranked Imperial College London, with an average monthly rent of £670 pcm

Lettings agent Rentify has today revealed which of the UK’s top 10 universities gives you the best value for your money, looking at the average student rents for those attending the UK’s top universities. Fourth placed Imperial College London tops the table thanks to an eye-watering average student rent of £670 pcm in the capital.

Comparatively, the cheapest of the top universities for student accommodation is picturesque Durham University, with an average rent of just £250 pcm, and a university education ranked fifth best in the country.

Despite this imbalance, Imperial graduates do get the bonus of tending to look forward to brighter prospects, with an average starting salary of £29,000 pa for the uni’s alumni– £7,000 more than graduates of Durham, who on average look forward to a first pay packet of £22,000 pa*.

The university that arguably offers the best return for your rent is the University of Warwick, with a bargain average rent of just £325 pcm for its students, and an above-average expected salary of £24,000 for its alumni.

In the age-old Oxbridge rivalry, it’s Oxford that comes out on top – with Cambridge proving the third most expensive university with an average rent of £500 pcm compared to Oxford’s average rent of £450 pcm for its students. Graduates from both universities expect starting salaries of £25,000 pa.

“Many say you can’t put a price on a good education – but it’s often well worth students doing research into their university options when the time comes to fly the nest,” commented George Spencer, CEO of Rentify. “There are a number of different factors to consider when looking at universities – and over-the-odds London rents may balance out into the best future prospects.”

THE TOP 10 UNIVERSITIES** – RANKED BY BEST VALUE FOR MONEY:

Durham – £250 pcm (ranked =5th best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £22,000)

Warwick – £325 pcm (ranked 7th best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £24,000)

Lancaster – £350 pcm (ranked 9th best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £20,000)

St. Andrews – £350 pcm (ranked =5th best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £23,000)

Exeter – £400 pcm (ranked 10th best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £21,000)

Surrey – £450 pcm (ranked 8th best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £23,000)

Oxford – £450 pcm (ranked 2nd best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £25,000)

Cambridge – £500 pcm (ranked 1st best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £25,000)

London School of Economics – £650 pcm (ranked 3rd best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £28,000)

Imperial College London – £670 pcm (ranked 4th best university in the country with an average graduate salary at £29,000)